Review: “Stockholm Syndrome” by Death Reich

A Swedish Death Metal act born in 2018 from the desire to play in the American old school Scott Burns era style, Death Reich are now seven years into their sonic journey and one step closer to oblivion. The story goes that back in 2019 while struggling to find a drummer, guitarist Jonas Blom (Sacramentum, Runemagick, ex Trident, ex Grief of Emerald, ex One Man Army and the Undead Quartet) switched to grace the stool with Robert Babic (ex-Brutal Division, Vulcanic) recruited for the six string assault. Alongside the pairing, Robert Axelsson (Sacramentum, Grief of Emerald, ex One Man Army and the Undead Quartet) was on bass, Christer Bergqvist (Grief of Emerald, ex Sadistic Grimness, ex Auberon) on guitar and Johnny Lehto (Grief of Emerald, ex Decameron) on vocals. Since then the five piece have delivered us to evil with two EPs and a full length record in 2023’s “Disharmony“…

Let’s start with the obvious question. What is Stockholm Syndrome? It’s a coping mechanism in which people develop positive feelings towards their captors or abusers over time. The title track also doubles as the records opener, a rip snorter of a violent delight with pummeling blast beats and rampaging razor sharp riffs. Weighty grooves and an almost ethnically tinged solo give the powerhouse a distinctive edge, the thunderous final verse the icing on the cake. “Meat Grinder” continues the vicious tirade at breakneck pace with no quarter given, the harsh vocals from Lehto placed just above the maelstrom of percussive battery in the mix. The influence of bands like Entombed is obvious in the guitar tone but in truth they have a lot more in common with the likes of Burn Down Eden while also threatening to cross into Deathgrind territory. Riffs fly in all direction with an urgent blood lust as “Haters” plays out in dramatic fashion, Death Reich grinding the gears with well executed tempo changes. A scorching solo makes this one feel almost like it was recorded live on the floor of the bands rehearsal space or at least in one take, such is the nature of the performance. A menacing and sinister opening verse that sounds like it takes its inspiration from Slayer gives life to “Defy the Cold” before Death Reich reach ramming speed, the band proving that they know more than one speed but rarely choose to use any other gear. A pile driver of a cut that flirts with Death Groove and has an infectious main riff, this one is arguably the pick of the bunch because its as heavy hitting as it is atmospheric. One last spin of the Smith and Wesson barrel in this game of Russian Roulette gives us the punishment beating that is “Suffer“. Lehto sounds like Max Cavalera in the early days of Sepultura at points on this one, the powerhouse solo followed by the brutal roar as it breaks back into the driving rhythms an absolute masterclass [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Stockholm Syndrome
2. Meat Grinder
3. Haters
4. Defy the Cold
5. Suffer

“Stockholm Syndrome” by Death Reich is out 5th November 2025 via Non Serviam Records and is available over at bandcamp.